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Lost Spring
- GenresLiterature
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Anees Jung
14 books18 followersAnees Jung is an Indian woman author, journalist and a columnist for major newspapers in India and abroad, whose most noted work, Unveiling India (1987) was a detailed chronicle of the lives of women in India, noted especially for the detailed depiction of Muslim women behind the veil.
Courtsey : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anees_Jung
Courtsey : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anees_Jung
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 8, 2019
SUCH an underrated book!!
Our std.12th English book had two tales from this book, and their writing style and poignancy got my attention. And I had decided that I had to read the book.
This is about the lost springs, the stolen childhoods. “Anees Jung exposes a national shame..” reads the blurb, where the author talks about the multitude of children involved in child labour, cleaning floors in restaurants, making locks, weaving carpets, hauling loads in factories, and many more. Some have lost hopes of living a better life, whereas some never stop dreaming of breaking the shackles of grinding poverty and bonded labour.
The book unveils in majorly four parts:
• Travels into Childhood
• A Place Called School
• Sharing Memories
• Joining Hands
Each of the first three parts begin with few beautiful lines of Urdu poetry.
Quoting few lines from the book which had intrigued me in my std.12th English class:
“Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father. To do anything else would mean to dare. And daring is not part of his growing up.”
Our std.12th English book had two tales from this book, and their writing style and poignancy got my attention. And I had decided that I had to read the book.
This is about the lost springs, the stolen childhoods. “Anees Jung exposes a national shame..” reads the blurb, where the author talks about the multitude of children involved in child labour, cleaning floors in restaurants, making locks, weaving carpets, hauling loads in factories, and many more. Some have lost hopes of living a better life, whereas some never stop dreaming of breaking the shackles of grinding poverty and bonded labour.
The book unveils in majorly four parts:
• Travels into Childhood
• A Place Called School
• Sharing Memories
• Joining Hands
Each of the first three parts begin with few beautiful lines of Urdu poetry.
Quoting few lines from the book which had intrigued me in my std.12th English class:
“Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father. To do anything else would mean to dare. And daring is not part of his growing up.”
December 1, 2016
Read "Lost spring" by "Anees jung" , it was awesome explanation of stolen childhood. The author fully got success to make a real picture of poverty also with mentality of a barefoot ragpicker boy is depicted preferably.
The problems and way to living life by squatters which is discussed by author really compelled to think about it. Small dreams of "Saheb-e-Alam" inspire to living life by best way. The description of India's problems by two distinct worlds in author own language,- "one of the family , caught in a web of poverty , burdened by the stigma of caste in which they are born; the other a vicious circle of the sahukars, the middleman, the policeman, the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians. Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father"
is very good.
After all it is good but also there is possibilities to make it more better.
7/10
The problems and way to living life by squatters which is discussed by author really compelled to think about it. Small dreams of "Saheb-e-Alam" inspire to living life by best way. The description of India's problems by two distinct worlds in author own language,- "one of the family , caught in a web of poverty , burdened by the stigma of caste in which they are born; the other a vicious circle of the sahukars, the middleman, the policeman, the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians. Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father"
is very good.
After all it is good but also there is possibilities to make it more better.
7/10
February 8, 2022
As we all know, spring is the season associated with buoyancy and optimism. It also works as a metaphor for the childhood stage of our life.
Right from the time we’re born until late childhood, every child hopes for new beginnings and a bright future.
The phase of childhood is all about incorruptibility, liveliness, and incredible penchant towards outdoors activities along with fun and play.
And playtime does not have any limits. It is also a time of getting more skill and knowledge and going to school. Here, we take a look at a particularly impressive rendition – here is the lost spring summary!
The ‘Lost Spring’ written by Anees Jung talks about the national shame of children being forced to live a life of poverty and exploitation.
The two main protagonists of the chapter, Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh don’t live their childhood as they have to carry the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their depressed stories of exploitation, the author provides glimpses of determination, fortitude and resilience.
The story, “Lost Spring” deals with the appalling condition of poor children who get forced to miss the simple joyful moments of childhood because of their socio-economic conditions. These children are not given the opportunity of schooling and are compelled to start working early in life.
The author Anees Jung strives hard to eliminate child labour through her book. She propagates the education of children and enforcement of strict laws against child labour by the government. The message is to put an end to child exploitation and let all children enjoy their days of the spring and joy.
Childhood is considered the spring of human life. It is full of exuberance and playfulness. But the children of ragpickers of Seemapuri and bangle makers of Firozabad are deprived of this period; their life. They never enjoy the carefreeness of their childhood. They have to assist their poor parents in earning their living since the very tender age.
In fact, the story brings out the reality of our society where poor children work as ragpickers and bangle bakers in inhuman and hazardous conditions. The plight of these children highlights the apathy of the rich and powerful people of the society who have no concern for them.
‘Lost Spring’ refers to those moments of childhood which are full of happiness, growth and carefree spirit and which have been snatched from the children of Seemapuri and Firozabad. The title justifies the story which makes an effort to sensitize the people towards these poor children. It emphasizes the need to save the childhood of these poor children and provide them with their basic rights of a decent life and good education.
This book is a vivid description of the grinding poverty and tradition that condemn the children in our country to a life of poverty and exploitation.
Saheb, a small boy, who is a ragpicker and relies on garbage for his living, seems to be very enthusiastic about going to school. But he never gets this opportunity and his entire childhood is lost in solving the greatest problem of his life, i.e. to earn a meal. He has to compromise with his freedom and joy of childhood and works at a tea stall to earn money.
Mukesh, who was born into a bangle maker’s family of Firozabad, wants to be a motor mechanic. He works in the most hazardous conditions in the glass furnaces with high temperature and no lights. People of his community are caught in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians. Mukesh wants to be his own master and do something different.
The narrative very clearly describes the reality of our society.
Right from the time we’re born until late childhood, every child hopes for new beginnings and a bright future.
The phase of childhood is all about incorruptibility, liveliness, and incredible penchant towards outdoors activities along with fun and play.
And playtime does not have any limits. It is also a time of getting more skill and knowledge and going to school. Here, we take a look at a particularly impressive rendition – here is the lost spring summary!
The ‘Lost Spring’ written by Anees Jung talks about the national shame of children being forced to live a life of poverty and exploitation.
The two main protagonists of the chapter, Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh don’t live their childhood as they have to carry the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their depressed stories of exploitation, the author provides glimpses of determination, fortitude and resilience.
The story, “Lost Spring” deals with the appalling condition of poor children who get forced to miss the simple joyful moments of childhood because of their socio-economic conditions. These children are not given the opportunity of schooling and are compelled to start working early in life.
The author Anees Jung strives hard to eliminate child labour through her book. She propagates the education of children and enforcement of strict laws against child labour by the government. The message is to put an end to child exploitation and let all children enjoy their days of the spring and joy.
Childhood is considered the spring of human life. It is full of exuberance and playfulness. But the children of ragpickers of Seemapuri and bangle makers of Firozabad are deprived of this period; their life. They never enjoy the carefreeness of their childhood. They have to assist their poor parents in earning their living since the very tender age.
In fact, the story brings out the reality of our society where poor children work as ragpickers and bangle bakers in inhuman and hazardous conditions. The plight of these children highlights the apathy of the rich and powerful people of the society who have no concern for them.
‘Lost Spring’ refers to those moments of childhood which are full of happiness, growth and carefree spirit and which have been snatched from the children of Seemapuri and Firozabad. The title justifies the story which makes an effort to sensitize the people towards these poor children. It emphasizes the need to save the childhood of these poor children and provide them with their basic rights of a decent life and good education.
This book is a vivid description of the grinding poverty and tradition that condemn the children in our country to a life of poverty and exploitation.
Saheb, a small boy, who is a ragpicker and relies on garbage for his living, seems to be very enthusiastic about going to school. But he never gets this opportunity and his entire childhood is lost in solving the greatest problem of his life, i.e. to earn a meal. He has to compromise with his freedom and joy of childhood and works at a tea stall to earn money.
Mukesh, who was born into a bangle maker’s family of Firozabad, wants to be a motor mechanic. He works in the most hazardous conditions in the glass furnaces with high temperature and no lights. People of his community are caught in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians. Mukesh wants to be his own master and do something different.
The narrative very clearly describes the reality of our society.
June 30, 2023
Lost Spring (Paperback)by Anees Jung- Poem- I – Sometimes I find a rupee in the garbage. The first part tells the writer’s impressions about the life of the poor rag pickers. The rag pickers have migrated from Dhaka and found a settlement in Seemapuri. Their fields and homes had been swept away by storms. They had come to the big city to find a living. They are poor. The writer watches Saheb every morning scrounging for “gold” in her neighbourhood. Garbage is a means of survival for the elders and for the children it is something wrapped in wonder. The children come across a coin or two from it. These people have desires and ambitions, but they do not know the way to achieve them. There are quite a few things that are unreachable to them, namely shoes, tennis and the like. Later Saheb joins a tea stall where he could earn 800 Rupees and all the meals. The job has taken away his freedom.
II – I want to drive a car.
The second part deals with the life of Mukesh, who belongs to the family of Bangle-makers. Firozabad is best known for its glass-blowing industry. Nearly 20,000 children are engaged in this business and the law that forbids child labour is not known here. The living condition and the working environment is a woeful tale. Life in dingy cells and working close to hot furnaces make these children blind when they step into the adulthood. Weighed down by the debt, they can neither think nor find a way to come of out of this trap. The politicians, middlemen, policemen and bureaucrats will all obstruct their way of progress. The women in the household consider it as their fate and just follow the tradition. Mukesh is different from the rest of the folk there. He dreams to become a motor mechanic. The garage is far away from his house, but he shall walk. comes across Mukesh in Firozabad.
The author brings before the readers the plight of children who have to work for a living. Poverty, lack of education of parents, big number of children, availability of work for parents, ill-health of parents etc. are various reasons why children have to seek hazardous employment to get bread and butter for the family. This poem has been included in Class XII NCERT syllabus in Hindi subject.
II – I want to drive a car.
The second part deals with the life of Mukesh, who belongs to the family of Bangle-makers. Firozabad is best known for its glass-blowing industry. Nearly 20,000 children are engaged in this business and the law that forbids child labour is not known here. The living condition and the working environment is a woeful tale. Life in dingy cells and working close to hot furnaces make these children blind when they step into the adulthood. Weighed down by the debt, they can neither think nor find a way to come of out of this trap. The politicians, middlemen, policemen and bureaucrats will all obstruct their way of progress. The women in the household consider it as their fate and just follow the tradition. Mukesh is different from the rest of the folk there. He dreams to become a motor mechanic. The garage is far away from his house, but he shall walk. comes across Mukesh in Firozabad.
The author brings before the readers the plight of children who have to work for a living. Poverty, lack of education of parents, big number of children, availability of work for parents, ill-health of parents etc. are various reasons why children have to seek hazardous employment to get bread and butter for the family. This poem has been included in Class XII NCERT syllabus in Hindi subject.
April 3, 2023
Her prose is like poetry 😭✨️
December 8, 2024
Loved all the stories. Liked the depth and research done. Her perspective was great.
January 11, 2023
Thought provoking read
June 8, 2025
Such pain and sorrow this book introduced us to.
But it's what reality is and that's what makes this book a collection of strong words !
But it's what reality is and that's what makes this book a collection of strong words !
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews